Friday 25 April 2008
Cross handed new Force deal

Centre Ryan Cross has signed a new three-year contract with the Western Force as the Perth-based franchise try to consolidate their star-studded squad.

With star playmaker Matt Giteau, full-back Cameron Shepherd and skipper Nathan Sharpe already locked in beyond 2008, the Force, who possess one of the strongest outfits in the Super 14 competition, moved quickly to secure Cross' signature.

Cross, who played 143 games with the Sydney Roosters in the NRL before making the switch from league to union in 2007, has shown rapid improvement during his fledgling 23-game Super 14 career.

The 28-year-old has played every game for the Force since debuting in 2007. During that time, Cross has tallied seven tries, including the match-winner against the Bulls earlier this month.

Cross, who narrowly missed out on a place in the 30-man Wallabies squad for the 2007 World Cup, said re-signing with the talent-laden Force until 2011 gave him the best opportunity of breaking into the Wallabies squad.

"Obviously you want to play with the best players and Sharpy, Gits and Cameron Shepherd are three of the best players here so definitely that's a big reason to stay," Cross said.

"You want to be in one of the good teams. When the full team's on the field I think we are as just as good as any other team in Australia so I think it's a place I want to be and there are some good, exciting young players coming through.

"I just want to keep on building and the more games we win the more players we get in the Wallabies team.

"I watched with plenty of interest during the World Cup in France last year and it's something that I'd love to be a part of in 2011 in New Zealand. It would be a great way to finish my career."

Cross said he felt more comfortable than ever in the Force squad now that he had almost two seasons of Super 14 rugby under his belt.

"I think this year a lot more players have put more trust in me," he said.

"The first year came and went so quickly. I learnt a lot and sat back and knew I had to work on some things and thankfully I've been injury free and I've been able to play a lot of rugby in the last year and a half. The confidence is starting to build."

Two losses on the trot have driven a dagger through the Force's top-four aspirations this season but Cross was optimistic about what the future holds for the Force.

"I think the team's made some steps forward," he said.

"Obviously the last three or four weeks haven't been good but I still think we are a young club and we are a team going forward. The next three or four years will be very positive."

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